Salomon Rondon has opened up on when he first heard about Everton's transfer interest, and his conversations with both Rafa Benitez and Marcel Brands.
The striker confirmed his arrival on Merseyside on transfer deadline day, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the option of a third after completing a free transfer from Dalian Professional.
The 31-year-old will now provide back-up and competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin over the course of the coming season.
And the Venezuela international has revealed just how late Everton's interest in him came, but explained he had no doubts about linking up with Benitez for a third time in his career.
Rondon also spoke about his conversations with the club's director of football on deadline day, and the honour he feels to be back in the Premier League.
The striker told evertontv : "Yes I spoke with him [Brands].
"The interest started on the 28th, 29th - so really close [to the deadline]! I called my agent, my lawyers, they started talks.
"You can go, no we have to wait, the Chinese situation, the time change - because in China it is seven hours more, so you have to wait.
"Rafa called and said, 'How are you, how are you feeling?'.
"I said, 'I am really happy, here, training by myself. I know it is not the same as training with a team but I am good, I am fit.'.
"I kept training, on the morning of the 31st, Marcel talked with me and said, 'Be ready, any moment we will sign, we have to do it quickly because the deadline is there'.
"I appreciate and am thankful to the people who worked for the club to make this possible for me, it is amazing.
"It is not easy coming back to the Premier League from China, it is a dream for me and I am really happy. I had no doubt about coming here and playing in the Premier League again.
"It is a pleasure and an honour and I'm really happy."
In the hours leading up to Rondon's confirmation as an Everton player, fans were deep in discussion on social media regarding their new striker.
One video in particular from March 2017 showed the striker, then playing for West Brom, handing his shirt to a young Blues supporter after a match at Goodison Park.
The 31-year-old remembers that occasion well, and claimed he could feel the support of the Evertonians even when he was playing for the other team.
"We lost 3-0 but, for me, you saw the stadium and the people around and you can fell the support, even playing for the other team," Rondon added.
"It means a lot because you can see how the supporters love the team and that is important. We play for the people. They are there in the winter, they are fantastic.
"The Premier League is the best league in the world because the supporters are always there. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold, or you are winning or losing. They are there.
"I remember I gave my shirt to a young boy. It was a special moment, to be honest. We lost - I don't care if we lost - I gave the shirt to the young boy.
"He said can I have your shirt. Of course, no problem, take it.
"I am happy when you feel the people around you love football, and you love football. It means a lot. This is important as a footballer.
"When you feel the people behind you, it doesn't matter if you lose or miss a chance. The most important thing is the fans respect you, and you respect the fans.
"You have to give everything on the pitch. I did at my two former clubs, West Brom and Newcastle. I work really hard because the supporters are there and they have to feel proud of their team."
